A GRIEVING mother braved the public eye for the first time on Friday to help open a memorial garden to her four children, who were killed by their father a year ago this week.

Samantha Tolley was visibly moved as tributes were paid to her boys, Joshua Young, seven, Thomas, six, Callum, five, and Daniel, three, during the official opening of the garden at Handley Hill Primary School in Winsford.

And Ms Tolley, who had been living in Weaverham at the time of the tragedy, said she had been shocked by the response of the people of Mid Cheshire.

After the ceremony, she told the Chronicle: 'It was very nerve-racking to stand here. The reaction from the public has been overwhelming.'

During the ceremony, children, friends and family lined the garden, which has a plaque designed by Ms Tolley as its centrepiece. It also features a large wooden sculpture of a tractor made by students at Mid-Cheshire College and benches, paving and flowers.

Handley Hill Primary School headteacher Gill King introduced the speakers.

Pastor Ian Anderson, who is closely connected to the school, was first to speak. He said: 'A lot has gone into this garden.

'It's a very special tribute to four very special boys.

'Those boys loved life and they loved tractors, that's why a special donation of the tractor has been given.

'There are four parts to this garden, one for each of the boys.

'A garden is very special. You plant a seed and it seems like it has gone for ever, but then it grows. In the same way, it might seem like these boys are gone, but they are not.

'This garden is going to be a blessing to many people.' Tim Tolley, Samantha's brother, spoke on behalf of his sister and the rest of the family.

'I would like to thank everyone,' he said. 'The boys are sadly missed, but not forgotten.'

Mr Tolley thanked people and businesses who have helped to create the garden, in particular Linda George, a teaching assistant and family friend who was instrumental in making the garden a reality, Mid-Cheshire College and St Chad's Church.

The ribbon was cut by Detective Danny Murphy, of North Wales Police, who has worked closely with the family since the tragedy.

Det Murphy said: 'It's an honour to open this garden.

'I hope it's a lasting monument to the four boys. I hope the children get a lot of pleasure from it.'

Mrs King closed the ceremony by inviting onlookers into the garden to enjoy its beauty at close range. She said: 'This

garden will be here a lot longer than I will. It is for generations of children to sit and remember.'

The boys, who lived on Littler Lane in Winsford, were found by police on March 27 last year, in a car with the body of their father, Keith Young. A petrol-driven lawnmower was found inside the car, giving off carbon monoxide fumes.

The deaths shocked Mid Cheshire and staff and pupils of Handley Hall were determined the brothers would never be forgotten.

After the ceremony, Mrs George said: 'The garden is split in four for the four boys and it has a tractor because they so loved tractors.

'It has got a sensory garden and it is for the children to sit in and read or simply to think.

'We have done a lot of fundraising, but a lot of it has been supplied for free by local businesses. It's very special, it has turned out to be so wonderful.'